{"id":435,"date":"2025-04-06T17:03:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T17:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/?p=435"},"modified":"2025-04-14T02:50:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T02:50:47","slug":"adolescence-star-enters-race-to-play-james-bond-after-netflix-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/06\/adolescence-star-enters-race-to-play-james-bond-after-netflix-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Adolescence star enters race to play James Bond after Netflix success"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
Daniel Craig\u2019s replacement as James Bond still hasn\u2019t been announced (Pictures: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

James Bond<\/a> speculation is a favourite pastime of both Brits and film fans alike, as we endure the agonising wait for a formal casting to be announced.<\/p>\n

Since Daniel Craig<\/a> completed his last assignment as 007 in 2021 with No Time to Die<\/a>, we\u2019ve survived three years of gossip and rumours with no confirmation as to who the new actor to take up the spy\u2019s licence to kill<\/a> could be.<\/p>\n

This speculation has only intensified following an historic deal<\/a> in which creative control of the franchise was handed to Amazon<\/a> after Amazon Studios purchased MGM+ for $8.45billion (\u00a36.7billion).<\/p>\n

While Aaron Taylor-Johnson<\/a> is still considered the favourite for the role<\/a>, a source firmly denied his involvement in March when the speculation reached fever pitch.<\/p>\n

In the months since, several new candidates have shaken up the Bond race too, as bookies and fans keep a sharp eye on rising talent and major new Netflix<\/a> stars. Now, there\u2019s a new Bond potential on the scene\u2014Adolescence star Stephen Graham.<\/p>\n

The list of contenders for the role is drastically different to three years ago, when Idris Elba<\/a>, Tom Hardy <\/a>and Game of Thrones<\/a> and Marvel actor Richard Madden<\/a> dominated the conversation.<\/p>\n

So, who could be the next James Bond in 2024? Let\u2019s take a look at the most likely bets\u2026<\/p>\n

Stephen Graham<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Editorial\t<\/div>
Adolescence star Stephen Graham is a new fave for Bond (Picture: Ken McKay\/ITV\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the unfathomable success of Netflix drama Adolescence<\/a>, Eddie Miller actor Stephen Graham<\/a> has become a contender in the Bond race.<\/p>\n

The four-parter, in which each episode has been filmed in one take, was watched 66million times in its first two weeks, so it\u2019s no surprise the Liverpudlian star has now appeared in the odds.<\/p>\n

In Adolescence, Graham plays the dad of 13-year-old Jamie. The schoolboy is arrested on suspicion of murdering a female classmate, opening up a whole can of worms about the kind of nefarious content he\u2019s been consuming online and what signs were missed.<\/p>\n

Also known for his roles in This is England, Line of Duty, A Thousand Blows, and Boiling Point, Graham is no stranger to a gritty role.<\/p>\n

As such, the 51-year-old from Kirkby now has his odds at 66\/1\u2014could the next 007 be Scouse?<\/p>\n

Funnily enough, also in the list is Ashley Walters at 50\/1, who starred in Adolescence as a cop opposite Stephen.<\/p>\n

Jack Lowden<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Jack\t<\/div>
Jack Lowden is the current favourite for 007 (Picture: Stephane Cardinale \u2013 Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tornado and Slow Horses<\/a> star Jack Lowden<\/a> has become an unlikely favourite to become the next Bond.<\/p>\n

His odds currently sit at 4\/1, shooting up the list after previously sitting at 8\/1, putting him above previous favourites Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill.<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old Scottish actor is best known for his role as River Cartwright in thriller series Slow Horses, as well as appearing in The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power<\/a>, Dunkirk<\/a>, and Mary Queen of Scots<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lowden\u2019s wife, Saoirse Ronan<\/a>, thinks her husband has what it takes to play the superspy after expressing her interest in taking on the role of a villain in the franchise.<\/p>\n

When asked if Lowden could also play a villain or if he\u2019d be a better Bond, she told the Happy Sad Confused<\/a> podcast: \u2018He should be Bond. If it\u2019s a choice between the two.<\/p>\n

\u2018Isn\u2019t it nice that I\u2019ve done that?\u2019<\/p>\n

James Norton<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"James\t<\/div>
Happy Valley icon James Norton could step into the famous tuxedo (Picture: John Phillips\/BAFTA\/Getty Images for BAFTA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

James Norton<\/a> is another star who has experienced years of speculation surrounding the Bond role.<\/p>\n

The Happy Valley<\/a> star, who was nominated for a Bafta for playing the villainous Tommy Lee Royce in the hit series, boasts a 15-year onscreen career including roles in Doctor Who<\/a>, McMafia<\/a>, and War & Peace<\/a>, as well as his long-term role as vicar Sidney Chambers in Grantchester between 2014 and 2019.<\/p>\n

He has also appeared in movies like Mr Turner and Little Women opposite Emma Watson and Florence Pugh.<\/p>\n

Norton, 38, even revealed what he could bring to the role<\/a> back in 2021, ahead of No Time To Die\u2019s release.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m a type one diabetic. How cool would it be to have a diabetic Bond?,\u2019 he commented to Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u2018It would be wonderful for all those diabetic kids out there to think even a type one diabetic could be Bond! Other than that, I\u2019d leave it to Daniel and the writers to carry on the legacy.\u2019<\/p>\n

The star also praised Craig for \u2018re-defining it for a modern era and it\u2019s this human role in a really wonderful way\u2019.<\/p>\n

He currently has odds of 9\/1 from bookies.<\/p>\n

Aaron Taylor-Johnson<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Aaron\t<\/div>
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has arguably been the most talked-about actor for the role (Picture: Pablo Cuadra\/WireImage)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aaron Taylor-Johnson\u2019s name has been on everyone\u2019s lips most frequently in the Bond conversation in recent years.<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old has been the hot favourite ever since it was reported in December 2022 that he had apparently\u00a0shot the classic 007 gun barrel sequence\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>that appears in the official opening for every Bond movie.<\/p>\n

Taylor-Johnson, who will be seen in the lead role in Kraven the Hunter later this year, has understandably\u00a0tired of the intense\u00a0casting\u00a0speculation<\/strong><\/a> since then.<\/p>\n

When asked if he gets \u2018sick of being asked about Bond\u2019 at the Fall Guy premiere in April, the star sighed and responded, \u2018Are you sick of asking the question?\u2019.<\/p>\n

If Taylor-Johnson has<\/em> been given the role, he\u2019s got strong support from his\u00a0Back to Black filmmaker wife Sam Taylor-Johnson<\/strong><\/a>, as well as\u00a0a\u00a0former James Bond himself<\/a>, Pierce Brosnan.<\/p>\n

His current odds are at 5\/1, meaning it\u2019s thought more likely to happen than not for him.<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s Broccoli and her fellow producer and half-brother, Michael G. Wilson, who hold the power to anoint the new James Bond, regardless of who the public might want.<\/p>\n

Henry Cavill<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"2025\t<\/div>
He even looks like the perfect Bond in this picture (Picture: Chris Hyde\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now we approach the business end of proceedings and an actor who has been in contention to play the suave spy <\/a>for possibly the longest of anyone\u2014Henry Cavill<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cavill actually lost out to Craig last time Bond was being cast, way back in 2005, because he was deemed too young for the role at the time, at just 22.<\/p>\n

Almost 20 years later, though, and the Superman<\/a> actor and star of The Witcher still has many fans pulling for him, especially because he made it so far last time.<\/p>\n

In November 2021, he told The Hollywood Reporter that \u2018nothing is off the table\u2019 in terms of him replacing Craig.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think it would be very exciting to have a conversation with the producers. In an ideal world, I\u2019d never have to turn anything down,\u2019 the 41-year-old shared. <\/p>\n

\u2018Nothing is off the table. It\u2019s an honour to even be part of that conversation.\u2019<\/p>\n

However, producer Barbara Broccoli has since indicated that they are looking for a younger actor to take on the role \u2013 someone in their late 20s or early 30s\u2014as signing up to the franchise is likely to be a 10 to 12-year commitment.<\/p>\n

Despite this, Cavill\u2019s odds are 3\/1.<\/p>\n

Theo James<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>
It would be a drastic change from his latest film, The Monkey (Picture: River Callaway\/Variety via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Theo James<\/a> also sits at 5\/2 after his successful stint leading Guy Ritchie\u2019s<\/a> The Gentleman<\/a> series for Netflix and Osgood Perkins\u2019 insane horror film The Monkey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 39-year-old White Lotus<\/a> star also ticked off a very Bond-worthy advertising campaign recently after writhing around on a boat in a tiny pair of white trunks with model Victoria Ceretti for a new Dolce and Gabbana advert<\/a>.<\/p>\n

James has appeared in everything from the Divergent film series with Shailene Woodley<\/a> to Underworld movies with Kate Beckinsale <\/a>and appeared as Lady Mary\u2019s lover who memorably expired in bed in the first-ever episode of Downton Abbey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also flexed his brooding British muscles as original male lead Sidney Parker in the period drama Sanditon, before exiting the Jane Austen series <\/a>after one season, breaking fans\u2019 hearts.<\/p>\n

The actor appears pretty comfortable in play for the role of Bond.<\/p>\n

Harris Dickinson<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>
Fans have put Dickinson\u2019s sparse future slate down to him appearing in Bond (Picture: Gilbert Flores\/Variety via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Babygirl<\/a> star Harris Dickinson<\/a> has proved a popular choice for 007 after appearing in the steamy thriller<\/a> with Nicole Kidman<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Harris, 28, made his film debut in the 2017 coming-of-age drama Beach Rats, scoring acclaim for his performance as lost teenager Frankie.<\/p>\n

He went on to star in the Disney blockbuster sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and appeared in The King\u2019s Man, Where the Crawdads Sing, and the 2023 best picture nominee Triangle of Sadness.<\/p>\n

Prior to his star-making performance in Babygirl, he appeared opposite Zac Efron<\/a> in the tragic wrestling biopic The Iron Claw<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He was rumoured last year to be in the running as young John Lennon in Sam Mendes\u2019 series of films about The Beatles.<\/p>\n

His odds are at 9\/1.<\/p>\n

Callum Turner<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>
Callum could be Bond(Picture: John Nacion\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Callum Turner<\/a> has already proved he can handle action in the TV show Masters of the Air<\/a>, and has also featured in the film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. He\u2019s got the acting chops, but he\u2019s also not so famous that he couldn\u2019t just be associated with the Bond role, which could be appealing to the bosses.<\/p>\n

You may know him for his film work, but you might also be aware of Turner, 34, through his relationship with a very famous pop star \u2013 Dua Lipa <\/a>\u2013 who definitely adds to his star power. <\/p>\n

Lipa would also be an excellent choice for the Bond theme song<\/a>, and perhaps even a little cameo after her mermaid impression in Barbie. Did someone say power couple?<\/p>\n

His odds with are 20\/1.<\/p>\n

Josh O\u2019Connor<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Rebuilding\t<\/div>
Josh O\u2019Connor has seemingly denied rumours he will play Bond (Picture: Vivien Killilea\/Getty Images for Acura)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After starring alongside\u00a0Daniel Craig<\/a>\u00a0in Variety\u2019s Actors on Actors series, fans were convinced it was simply the industry foreshadowing\u00a0that Josh O\u2019Connor<\/a> would take over as 007<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Josh, 34, known for portraying a young\u00a0King Charles<\/a>\u00a0III in\u00a0Netflix<\/a>\u2019s The Crown, as well as starring in Challengers<\/a>, La Chimera<\/a>, and Lee, has an impressive portfolio.<\/p>\n

However, he seemed to dash hopes of taking on the role in a recent interview with Deadline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the news outlet, he reportedly smiled as he was asked his thoughts on the matter, admitting: \u2018I have no thoughts, really.<\/p>\n

\u2018The truth is that \u2026 I think in the space of a week, I made a joke about, wouldn\u2019t it be funny if I played Bond? Then, me and Daniel [Craig] did an Actors on Actors, and then something else happened, and then suddenly I was James Bond.\u2019<\/p>\n

He continued: \u2018If I am Bond, I don\u2019t know about it.\u2019<\/p>\n

Despite this, his odds are still at 12\/1.<\/p>\n

Paul Mescal<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>
He\u2019s been tipped for the role for five years (Picture: Jesse Grant\/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paul Mescal<\/a> was first tipped for the role of Bond in 2020<\/a> following his successful stint in Normal People<\/a>.<\/p>\n

His odds have been up and down ever since, peaking after he appeared in Gladiator 2<\/a> alongside Pedro Pascal<\/a> and Denzel Washington<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mescal\u2019s odds of starring in Bond are currently sitting at 22\/1.<\/p>\n

He has a packed slate looking into the future after gis role as Lucius Verus in the Gladiator sequel, next appearing in Oliver Hermanus\u2019 The History of Sound based on the short story by Ben Shattuck.<\/p>\n

Mescal will also star in Chlo\u00e9 Zhao\u2019s historical drama Hamnet as William Shakespeare alongside the likes of Jessie Buckley, Joe Alwyn<\/a>, and Emily Watson.<\/p>\n

Richard Linklater\u2019s epic musical Merrily We Roll Along also has Mescal attached.<\/p>\n

It is told over the course of 20 years and does not yet have a release date, which could put a spanner in the works for Mescal being announced as Bond in the near future.<\/p>\n

Reg\u00e9-Jean Page<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>
Bridgerton\u2019s Reg\u00e9-Jean Page is considered a possible for the role (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reg\u00e9-Jean Page<\/a>, 36, is an actor who has stuck around when it comes to potential Bonds for a while.<\/p>\n

The star broke through at the end of 2020 with his leading role as Simon Basset in the first season of Netflix\u2019s smash hit period drama Bridgerton<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This left him perfectly poised to enter the race as an established new talent, as Craig stepped down from the role the following autumn.<\/p>\n

Three years later and he\u2019s still a name bookies will take bets on, appearing in the top 10, although he\u2019s slipped down the ranks a little.<\/p>\n

He most recently appeared in the star-studded thriller Black Bag alongside former Bond star Pierce Brosnan<\/a> as well as Cate Blanchett<\/a>, Michael Fassbender<\/a>, Marisa Abela<\/a>, Tom Burke<\/a>, and Naomie Harris<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In recent odds, he was placed as a slightly stronger candidate at 12\/1.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tLatest odds for the next James Bond actor\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Theo James \u2013 5\/2<\/p>\n

Henry Cavill \u2013 3\/1<\/p>\n

Jack Lowden \u2013 4\/1<\/p>\n

Aaron Taylor-Johnson \u2013 5\/1<\/p>\n

James Norton \u2013 9\/1<\/p>\n

Harris Dickinson \u2013 9\/1<\/p>\n

Rege-Jene Page \u2013 12\/1<\/p>\n

Josh O\u2019Connor \u2013 12\/1<\/p>\n

Richard Madden \u2013 14\/1<\/p>\n

Callum Turner \u2013 20\/1<\/p>\n

Paul Mescal \u2013 22\/1<\/p>\n

Tom Hardy \u2013 25\/1<\/p>\n

Luke Evans \u2013 25\/1<\/p>\n

Tom\u00a0 Holland \u2013 28\/1<\/p>\n

Joe Alwyn \u2013 28\/1<\/p>\n

Chiwetel Ejiofor \u2013 33\/1<\/p>\n

Jamie Doran \u2013 33\/1<\/p>\n

Will Poulter \u2013 33\/1<\/p>\n

Tom Hiddleston \u2013 33\/1<\/p>\n

David Jonsson \u2013 33\/1<\/p>\n

Idris Elba \u2013 33\/1<\/p>\n

Dan Stevens \u2013 33\/1<\/p>\n

Dev Patel \u2013 33\/1<\/p>\n

Kingsley Ben-Adir \u2013 40\/1<\/p>\n

Jamie Bell \u2013 40\/1<\/p>\n

Daniel Kaluuya \u2013 40\/1<\/p>\n

Charlie Hunnam \u2013 40\/1<\/p>\n

Cillian Murphy \u2013 45\/1<\/p>\n

Michael Fassbender \u2013 50\/1<\/p>\n

Robert Pattinson \u2013 50\/1<\/p>\n

Taron Egerton \u2013 50\/1<\/p>\n

Kit Harrington \u2013 50\/1<\/p>\n

Riz Ahmed \u2013 50\/1<\/p>\n

Joe Cole \u2013 50\/1<\/p>\n

Henry Golding \u2013 50\/1<\/p>\n

Ashley Walters \u2013 50\/1<\/p>\n

Stephen Graham \u2013 66\/1<\/p>\n

Benedict Cumberbatch \u2013 66\/1<\/p>\n

Harry Styles \u2013 66\/1<\/p>\n

Nicholas Hoult \u2013 80\/1<\/p>\n

John Boyega 80\/1<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

All odds were provided by Free Bets Casino<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

A version of this article was previously published on July 15.<\/em><\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Daniel Craig\u2019s replacement as James Bond still hasn\u2019t been announced (Pictures: Getty) James Bond speculation is a favourite pastime of both Brits and film fans alike, as we endure the agonising wait for a formal casting to be announced. Since Daniel Craig completed his last assignment as 007 in 2021 with No Time to Die, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":437,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":450,"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435\/revisions\/450"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.scubadiscounters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}